Raised Bow Construction and Method

ABSTRACT

The device of the disclosed technology is an attachment for a hair-bow. The device has a portion which attaches to the head, such as by way of a strap which is designed to extend around the face and chin, with a base situated on the strap where the bow should be attached. On this base are one, two or more rows of curved fabric. Around the rows of curved fabric is an additional strap having a softness less than that of the curved fabric. A bow is attached or attachable in a portal created between the row or rows of curved fabric and the base, such that the bow faces, or can face, at a 90 degree angle, or between a 45 degree and 135 degree angle offset to the base. Any degree angle can be used from 0 to 180 degrees, with the bow held in place on the curved fabric.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to hair ornaments and, more specifically, to hair bows.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Attach a bow on a child or a pet, and it either sticks straight up in the air, perpendicular from the head, or it falls flat. If you want it to face forward, such as to the front/face of the wearer, you'll find yourself detaching and reattaching, trying to grasp the right hairs, and watching it move out of place, as your subject is less than cooperative. This is especially problematic for photographers trying to obtain good pictures. What is needed is a way to attach a bow in a manner in which it faces forward with respect to the top of the head of the child or animal intended to wear the bow.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

In an embodiment, a bow attachment device aids attachment of a bow to a person or animal. The bow is attached in a stable manner, whereby “stable” is defined as “removably attached in a way such that the attached object retains its position relative to the object in which it is attached when such object moves in a regular manner expected of such object.” As such, two layers of fabric folded over into a U-shape onto each other are attached to a base. An elastic band (a band with elasticity allowing it to grow in length with force pulling on it, by at least a factor of 2, while at least substantially retaining its original non-extended length once the force is removed) is placed over the two layers of the fabric and attached to the base on either side. The elastic band is less soft and more rigid (based on a force applied against generally flat elongated sides of each device) than the two layers of fabric. A hollow interior space is, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, adapted for (defined as “designed with the following purpose”) attachment of a clip created between the base and an inner layer of the two layers of fabric.

The aforementioned clip can be attached with a first part inside the hollow interior space and a second part on an outside of an outer layer of the two layers, as well as outside the elastic band. It should be understood that “inside” refers to the inner area between the arc/U-shape layers, while “outside” refers to the area outside of the space between the U-shape layers and base. A bow can be attached to the second part of the clip and is oriented and removably attached stably in place, such that a front face is at a 90 or 135 degree angle to the base.

A head band can extend from either side of the base. A substantial part thereof (such as all but the attachment devices, rings, and/or clips) is of a softer and less rigid (rigidity being defined based on pressure against a generally elongated flat side) material than the base, in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The head band can be obtained from the same material as the elastic band. A width of the elastic band and a substantial portion of the head band are identical, in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

A method of producing the bow attachment device described above can be carried out as follows. Both ends of at least one layer of flexible and soft material are attached to a base which is harder than the soft material (‘harder’ and ‘softer’ here are relative to each other). A stabilizing layer is extended across a(n outer) surface of one of the layer or layers of soft material, the stabilizing layer being made of a harder material than the soft material. The stabilizing layer is attached to the base. A hollow region is formed between the base and the at least one layer of flexible and soft material. The hollow region is open on two ends, each end having, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, a flat bottom side and a curvilinear top side (from the underside of the rainbow), forming a total of two sides.

In this method, one can also frictionally attach a clip to either side of the at least one layer of flexible (and soft) material. A bow can be attached to the clip, and the clip, along with a bow, can be held stably in place with reference to the base. Then the clip can be adjusted to change an angle of its stable position, with reference to the base. As such, it can be 90 degrees, 135 degrees, or any other 15 degree variation or 1 degree variation compared to a generally flat elongated top side of the base (the side which connects to the rainbow-shaped felt or the like).

An elastic band can be irremovably attached to the base, and the elastic band can be expanded and frictionally held on to an object, such as a human child or domesticated pet (e.g., dog). The “at least one layer” can be two layers; a first layer and a second layer, with a side of the second layer completely adjacent to a side of the first layer.

Another way of describing hair bow attachments of embodiments of the disclosed technology is as follows. A flat base (where “flat” or “generally flat” refers to a most elongated side of a device which has a surface with substantially no rise along the surface thereof) is attached to a rainbow arced region. The base and rainbow-arced region are connected at either end of the “rainbow,” and the “rainbow” is softer/produced from softer material than the base. The greater rigidity of the base gives stability. A harder stabilizing band (compared to the rest of the rainbow-arced region) extends over the softer interior arced region of the rainbow. A hollow region is situated between the base and the rainbow-arced region. A bow is attached to a clip, and the clip frictionally engages the rainbow-arced region, such that one part of the clip is in the hollow region, and another part of the clip is on an opposite side of the rainbow-arced region from the hollow region (defined as “outside” the rainbow or U-shaped region).

“Substantially” and “substantially shown,” for purposes of this specification, are defined as “at least 90%,” or as otherwise indicated. Any device may “comprise” or “consist of” the devices mentioned there-in, as limited by the claims. “Generally” is defined as the same as “substantially” or “what one of ordinary skill in the art would colloquially refer to as such.”

It should be understood that the use of “and/or” is defined inclusively such that the term “a and/or b” should be read to include the sets: “a and b,” “a or b,” “a,” “b.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top and rear perspective view of a bow attachment device of embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom and front perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 5 shows a top view thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 7 shows a side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a reverse side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a bow and bow attachment device worn by an animal.

FIG. 10 shows a side elevation view of a bow and bow attachment device worn by a child.

FIG. 11 shows parts used to create the bow attachment device.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H, 121, 12J, 12K, and 12L show a sequence of steps used to create the bow attachment device using the parts shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The device of the disclosed technology is an attachment for a hair-bow. The device has a portion which attaches to the head, such as by way of a strap which is designed to extend around the face and chin, with a base situated on the strap where the bow should be attached. On this base are one, two or more rows of curved fabric (textile, plastic or other bendable and soft material). Around the rows of curved fabric is an additional strap having a softness less than that of the curved fabric (that is, a greater hardness) which connects to the base on either side. A bow is attached or attachable in a portal created between the row or rows of curved fabric and the base, such that the bow faces, or can face, at a 90 degree angle, or between a 45 degree and 135 degree angle, offset to the base. Any degree angle from 0 to 180 degrees can be used, with the bow held in place on the curved fabric.

“Soft” is defined as “easy to mold, cut, and compress, or fold, and is less than 70 on the Shore 00 hardness scale and/or less than 30 on the Shore A scale. All materials of the attachment device, or at least all materials excepting for clips and rings, may be “soft” in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view of the following description of the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a top and rear perspective view of a bow attachment device of embodiments of the disclosed technology. FIG. 2 shows a bottom and front perspective view thereof. FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view thereof. FIG. 4 shows a rear elevation view thereof. Here, a base 38 has two sides, a top and bottom (the bottom is part 39, labeled as such in later figures). This base has a degree of rigidity greater than that of a circumferential material 10/12 which is elastic, stretchable, or other material extending substantially from one side of the base 38 to the other side. This material, in an embodiment, is comprised of a length of elastic 10 and a length of elastic 12 joined at a double-ringed adjustment clip 14, allowing one to change the circumference of the circumferential material. A clip 16 attaches the elastic 10 to an elastic 18, which has an exposed ring but is otherwise held at either end within the base 38. It should be understood that any method of attachment of the base 38 to a child or animal could be used with the base 38, such as a clip at the bottom side of the base 38.

Now referring additionally to FIGS. 5-8, FIG. 5 shows a top view thereof. FIG. 6 shows a bottom view thereof. FIG. 7 shows a side elevation view thereof. FIG. 8 shows a reverse side elevation view thereof. In these figures, one can see the parts above the base clearly. On to the base 38 are attached at least one, two, three, or four lengths of flexible and soft fabric. In other embodiments, a hard or non-soft and non-flexible device can be used; however, software prevents injury and allows for greater compressibility and comfort in other embodiments. The layers of fabric 32 and 34 form an upside down U-shape or rainbow and are attached at either end to the base. A hollow portal 30 is thus formed between the base 38 and the innermost layer of fabric 34. As the fabric is fairly soft, it is also very pliable (such as on the order of magnitude of less than 45 on the Shore 00 duometer scale). A harder stabilizing layer 36 of fabric or elastic is attached to the base 38 around, and on the outside of, the outermost layer of fabric 32, to give the layers 32 and 34 more strength, while allowing for the compressibility of the inner layers (32 and 34) into the hollow space 30, as necessary to prevent injury.

A removably attachable decorative device, such as a bow 20 (whereby bow is defined as “a device with two ends on either side attached by a knot in the middle or a device designed to mimic a bow”) is attached to the attachment device. This is accomplished in embodiments of the disclosed technology by placing a portion of a clip 24 of the bow 20 in the hollow area 30 and a portion of a clip 22 outside of the hollow area 30. In this manner, a spring-loaded clip will be frictionally held to either side of the layers 32/34. The clip shown is attached at substantially a 90 degree angle to the base 38. By attaching around the rainbow shape of the fabric layers 32/34, one could place the bow stably in any direction desired within just less than a 180 area degree of rotation. For example, by placing the bow at the top of the “rainbow,” it would point straight upwards (relative to the top planar surface of the base 38). Or one could place the bow halfway between the base and top of the “rainbow” for a 135 degree offset relative to the top planar surface of the base 38.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a bow and bow attachment device worn by an animal. Here a dog 1 is wearing a bow 20 which faces frontward (towards the front of the dog). The elastic 10 wraps around the dog, while the stabilizing layer 36 is also slightly visible, matching the look and material of the elastic 10 (and elastic 12 and 18, in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 10 shows a side elevation view of a bow and bow attachment device worn by a child. Here, the bow 20 is attached at the previously described 135 degree angle from the flat top side of the base 38. One can also see clips 22 and 24 on either side of the felt or fabric layers 32 and 34. The bow 20, in this manner, is held into position at the angle it is attached to securely. A pin placed through the bow and layers 22 and 24 could instead be used to attach the bow. (A blunt backing should obviously be used with a pin.)

FIG. 11 shows parts used to create the bow attachment device, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. It should be understood that this is one specific construction method being shown and described, and that other variations are also possible. A first longest elastic strap 10, a middle length elongated strap 12, and a shortest length strap 36 are used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. An O-clip 16 and a double-O clip 14 are used. Base materials 38 and 39 are used to create the base. The rainbow or folded portion is created with fabric 32 and 34.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H, 121, 12J, 12K, and 12L show a sequence of steps used to create the bow attachment device, using the parts shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12A, one side of the base 38 is sewn with stitches 102, or otherwise fixedly and irremovably attached to elongated material 36. “Fixedly” and “irremovably,” for purposes of this disclosure are defined as “ordinarily or always causes damage, leaves holes, or decreases the value of two attached parts if removed.” Contrast this with “removably,” which, for purposes of this disclosure, is defined as “does not ordinarily or does not cause damage, leave holes, or decrease the value of two attached parts if removed from one another.”

In FIG. 12B, the ring 16 is attached to the base by way of another stitch 102 and/or glue attaching a length of material 18 through the ring and fixedly to the base 38. In FIG. 12C, the other side of the base, base 39, is stitched or otherwise attached to the material 18 and to the base 38, creating a double-layer base.

In FIG. 12D, a connector 14 is attached through a loop of fabric on material 12. The elongated material 12 is fixedly attached to itself, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, such as at stitch 104 causing the clip or connector 14 to now be irremovable. Then, in FIG. 12E, the length of material 12 is passed through the loop 14, creating a circular connection on either side of the base 38/39. This circular connection is shown in FIG. 12F, where a loop extends from the base 38/39 to the other side of the base 38/39, by way of the elastic material 10 and 12 and rings 14 and 16, as well as the elastic material 18. The elastic material 36 is shown fixedly attached at one end to the base, ready for attachment at the other end of the base.

FIG. 12G shows the sides of the base 38 and 39 fully fixedly attached to each other along their elongated lengths, with the elastics 10 and 18 held there-between. Then, in FIG. 12H, a first length of fabric 32 is attached to an elongated side of one of the bases at either end, forming a U-shape or rainbow as the fabric 32 is bent around thus. This creates an internal hollow portal 30 between the U-shaped fabric 32 and the base 38/39. Another layer of fabric 34 is now ready to be attached in a similar manner on the exterior/exposed side of the fabric 32. This is shown in FIG. 121. Then, in FIG. 12J, the exterior elastic layer is attached over the fabric layers 32 and 34, resulting in the strength of the elastic layer 36, with the compressibility of a fabric layer having greater softness than the elastic layer. A close-up of the elastic layer 36, wrapped around the fabric layers 32 and 34, is shown in FIG. 12K. With the elastic layer 36 still unattached at one side but fixedly attached at the other, FIG. 12L shows a reverse side thereof.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods and apparatuses described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention. 

1. A bow attachment device comprising: two layers of fabric folded into a U-shape onto each other and attached to a base; an elastic band over said two layers of said fabric material and attached to said base on either side, wherein said elastic band is less soft and more rigid than said two layers of fabric; a hollow interior space adapted for attachment of a clip created between said base and an inner layer of said two layers of fabric.
 2. The bow attachment device of claim 1, wherein said clip is attached with a first part inside said hollow interior space and a second part on an outside of an outer layer of said two layers and said elastic band.
 3. The bow attachment device of claim 2, wherein a bow is attached to said second part of said clip and is oriented and removably attached stably in place, such that a front face is at a 90 degree angle to said base.
 4. The bow attachment device of claim 2, wherein a bow is attached to said second part of said clip and is oriented and removably attached stably in place, such that a front face is at a 135 degree angle to said base.
 5. The bow attachment device of claim 2, wherein a head band extends from either side of said base, a substantial part thereof being of softer and less rigid material than said base, wherein said head band is procured from a same material as said elastic band.
 6. The bow attachment device of claim 5, wherein a width of said elastic band and a substantial portion of said head band are identical.
 7. A method of producing the bow attachment device, comprising steps of: attaching either end of at least one layer of flexible and soft material to a base which is harder than said soft material; extending a stabilizing layer across a surface of one of at least one layer of soft material, said stabilizing layer being made of a harder material than said soft material; attaching said stabilizing layer to said base; forming a hollow region, open on two ends, between said base and said at least one layer of flexible and soft material.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of frictionally attaching a clip to either side of said at least one layer of flexible and soft material.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a bow is attached to said clip, and said clip is held stably in place with reference to said base.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said clip is adjusted to change an angle of said stably in place positioning to another position, such that an angle of said bow relative to said base is changed at least 15 degrees.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein an elastic band is irremovably attached to said base, and said elastic band is expanded and frictionally held on to an object.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one layer is a first layer and a second layer, with a side of said second layer completely adjacent to a side of said first layer.
 13. A hair bow attachment comprising: a flat base; a rainbow-arced region connecting to said flat base at either end of said rainbow-arced region, said rainbow-arced region produced from a softer interior arced region and a harder stabilizing band extending over said softer interior arced region; a hollow region between said base and said rainbow-arced region; a bow attached to a clip, said clip frictionally engaged to said rainbow-arced region, such that one part of said clip is in said hollow region, and another part of said clip is on an opposite side of said rainbow-arced region from said hollow region.
 14. The hair bow attachment of claim 13, further comprising a fixedly attached strap extending from either end of said base. 